Netanyahu cites ‘progress’ in deal to free Gaza hostages

“I want to tell the families of the hostages that we are thinking of you and that we will not abandon your loved ones, who are also our loved ones,” the prime minister added.

During his speech, he also announced that he had asked the army to attack Yemen’s Huthis.

“I have instructed our Armed Forces to destroy the Huthis’ infrastructure, because whoever tries to harm us will be hit hard,” he said.

Iran-backed rebels claimed responsibility early Saturday for firing a ballistic missile that Israeli forces failed to intercept and left 16 people slightly injured in Tel Aviv.

Netanyahu also said he wants to sign new peace agreements with Arab countries, like those brokered in 2020 by the United States.

“Together with our American friends, I plan to expand the Abraham Accords and thus change the Middle East even more radically,” said the Israeli leader.